Building Network Capabilities in Turbulent Competitive Environments

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13

Integrated Manufacturing and

IT Strategy for Futuristic PLM:

A Conceptual Framework

from Japanese Firms

Dierent from traditional IT systems, a futuristic IT system

requires fast utilization of design information in new product

development according to customer value requirements. is

chapter presents a conceptual framework of futuristic product

life cycle management (PLM) from the standpoint of integrated

manufacturing. is futuristic PLM model, in contrast to the

traditional PLM model, translates customer values into product

development and emphasizes the importance of integration of

product design reecting customer needs, design feedback, and

management strategy. ree case studies illustrate the practical

applications of this research framework. Managerial implications

are discussed as well.

13.1 INTRODUCTION

Integrated manufacturing information system (IMIS) refers to eec-

tive utilization of IT systems that integrates all the functional processes

including product concept, system and detail design, purchasing, produc-

tion, marketing, logistics, and services. In a sense, IMIS is quite similar

to PLM. ree aspects of IMIS are emphasized from the University of

282  •  Building Network Capabilities in Competitive Environments

Tokyo research team at Manufacturing Management Research Center

(MMRC).

1. IMIS is a total system approach that integrates strategic manage-

ment, production activities of manufacturing, production develop-

ment processes, marketing, maintenance, and service activities.

2. IMIS includes a broad view of design information that encompasses

production processes, product development activities, management,

marketing, and maintenance/services.

3. e purpose of IMIS focuses on “competitive advantage based on

customer value perspective.”

Dierent from traditional IT systems, a futuristic IT system requires quick

utilization of design information in new product development according

to customer value requirements. For example, rms may use claim infor-

mation from customers through a customer relationship management

(CRM) system. Most of the IT system for PLM has focused on only design

information for developing and manufacturing new products, including

specically quality assurance, cost reduction, eective design, produc-

tion eciency, standardization, data management, and product informa-

tion management. However, futuristic IMIS (integrated manufacturing

information system) emphasizes design information for customer value

creation and delivery. us, IMIS pays more attention to incorporating

customer-valued information to front-loading capability, which enhances

the overall product development eectiveness. is paper presents a con-

ceptual framework of futuristic PLM from the standpoint of integrated

manufacturing (monozukuri in Japanese). It examines the IT system

strategy that considers product architecture and front-loading capability

(Ueno et al., 2007). rough case study of three Japanese rms, we further

suggest a futuristic PLM model and its implications as well.

13.2 LITERATURE REVIEW

13.2.1 Past and Future of Product Life Cycle Management

From the Japanese perspective, it is important to consider the future of

product life cycle management (PLM). In the global business environment,